Secret Liaison

Los Angeles based lawyer Samantha Simms rushes back to her hometown of Seattle when she learns that her sister Brenda Simms has been charged with the murder of Trevor Smith, a computer techie and recent boyfriend until Brenda discovered that he was married. There is some strain between the sisters, Sam, the overprotective one who left Seattle five years ago to pursue her career to provide for their ailing mother better, with Brenda the irresponsible one who felt abandoned to care for their mother alone who has since passed. Sam finds that there is a mountain of circumstantial evidence against Brenda, including how she can afford to live in a grand suburban house on her events planner salary. Sam can also see that beyond the strain between the two of them, Brenda is hiding something from her out of what looks to be plain fear, and not just because she may be convicted of murder. Along for the ride is Sam's ex-boyfriend, now SPD Detective Brad Mortensen, who still has feelings for her. They decide to follow Trevor's trail, which includes some dealings, professional and personal, with Senator Mark Carey, who is currently running for reelection with his wife, Alice Walker running his campaign, and Trevor being a member and frequent customer at a "gentleman's" club, the Beaumont. They also continually encounter a thuggish man, who seems to be looking for something pertinent to the case. Sam and Brad have to figure out what Brenda is hiding and why, and for what the thug is looking and for who he is taking orders. But the closer they get to finding out the truth, the closer the murderer may target them to protect him/herself.